Catching the Tide - Sam Hunt's Cook Strait
Originally made for NZ television in 1988, this one hour documentary is now something of a time capsule or historical piece. It's also a record of a peerless performance by one of this country's greatest poets.
Costa Botes
Director
Also Directed by Costa Botes
A behind the scenes documentary from the making of the "Return of the King"
A vivid first person look at the annual blues festival held in Nepal. The film features many performers but also shows the city and country, including a hair raising bus trip and a visit to the elephant breeding centre at Chitwan National Park.
Their music has been described as deep blues from way down under, as if the Mississippi River had gorged its way through the center of the earth and come home in...New Zealand of all places. They are the Windy City Strugglers. This film offers a funny and passionate look at 40 years of obscurity and great music.
Documentary about the making of Forgotten Silver.
A behind the scenes documentary from the making of the "Fellowship of the Ring"
A collection of The Making of 'The Fellowship of the Ring', 'The Two Towers' and 'The Return of the King'. This documentary treats movie, special effect and fantasy fans to a behnd-the-scenes look at the making of The Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson's blockbuster three-film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic work of fiction about the battle to save Middle Earth from the power of Sauron, and the quest that must be undertaken by a single small hobbit. Includes interviews with director Jackson, stars Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood, and the rest of the cast and crew who share some of the experiences they had in making the film, as well as discuss the massive effort that went into making the myths and monsters of Middle Earth a reality.
When the Cows Come Home introduces audiences to Tilly and Maggie, a pair of cows that musician, journalist, artist and cow whisperer, Andrew Johnstone has befriended and subsequently saved from slaughter. The garrulous herdsman is enthusiastic to expound his views on animal husbandry, bovine communication and the vagaries of life in general, before the film walks us back through the events that have shaped the singular farmer-philosopher. From personal family tragedy to warring with Catholic school authorities, innovating in Hamilton’s nascent music scene to creating guerrilla art installations; Johnstone’s life has had a truly idiosyncratic trajectory. Mental health issues may have seen him retreat to life on the farm, but the film makes clear its subject’s restless inquisitiveness is far from being put out to pasture.
Created by filmmaker Costa Botes (personally selected by Peter Jackson), this documentary uses raw footage to reveal the inside story on how the greatest adventure film franchise was born. Included as a bonus feature with "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Limited Edition".
A behind the scenes documentary from the making of the "Two Towers"
A gang member wakes up one morning and decides he needs a day off. Inspired by a newspaper advertisement he impulsively decides to take a short ferry trip between islands. With his tattooed face, black leather clothing, and prominent gang patch, the gangster is a fish out of water when he arrives in the idyllic small port town of Picton. The experience he has there will change his outlook on life forever.
